The Portofino replaces the California T as Ferrari's entry-level model. It's designed to lure new, younger buyers into showrooms.

Overview

Built entirely out of aluminum, the drop-top is powered by a twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 3.9-liter V8 engine that makes 592 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 562 pound-feet of torque from 3,000 to 5,250 rpm. The eight-cylinder shifts through a seven-speed automatic transmission; Ferrari is done with the manual gearbox, even on its most affordable car.

The Portofino takes 3.5 seconds to reach 62 mph from a stop. Give it a long enough road and it'll reach a top speed of 199 mph.

Life aboard

The Portofino's cockpit features a fluid dashboard with round air vents and a wide color screen that displays the infotainment system. Ferrari has done away with steering wheel-mounted stalks and relocated a host of secondary controls to the steering wheel, a quirky setup is a bit of an acquired taste.

The Portofino is as finely-built as any other Ferrari. The seats, the dashboard, and the door panels are all covered in leather and buyers can order a matching set of leather-upholstered luggage at an extra cost.

For extra versatility, the GT sports a pair of cramped back seats that are better used for carrying luggage than passengers.

The Portofino boasts a retractable hard top that reduces wind noise and creates a more coupe-like silhouette when closed. The hard top evidently weighs more than a comparable soft top, and the Portofino tips the scale at 3,668 pounds. It's quite a bit lighter than its predecessor thanks to the use of weight-saving materials like aluminum.

Tailor made

Buyers with extra cash in their pocket can customize their Portofino through Ferrari's Tailor Made program. Every aspect of the car down to the minutest detail can be modified by the buyer with the help of a Ferrari-assigned personal designer whose job is to guide future owners through every step of the customization process.

Key competitors

Those in the market for an exotic drop-top like the Portofino can also consider the Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2 and the Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible.